Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), took a centre stage at the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen Conference & Exhibition (APGH) 2024 in Kuching, Malaysia. His insightful plenary presentation highlighted the essential role hydrogen played in steering ASEAN member states towards a sustainable future. 

Photo 1. Dr Nuki Presenting the Status of Hydrogen Clusters in ASEAN 

Dr Nuki underscored the compelling reasons for ASEAN’s adoption of hydrogen and ammonia, detailing their potential to decarbonise critical sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation. He provided a thorough overview of the current state of hydrogen cluster development across the ASEAN region.

While expressing optimism about the future of hydrogen in ASEAN, Dr Nuki stressed the necessity of a collaborative and coordinated approach to maximise its potential. He outlined four essential steps for collective action. Firstly, transitioning both existing and future industrial demands towards low-carbon hydrogen could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise. This aligned with ASEAN’s broader sustainability goals. Secondly, the region’s abundant renewable energy resources positioned ASEAN as a potential global leader in producing clean hydrogen through electrolysis powered by renewables. Thirdly, regional hydrogen trading among ASEAN member states held tremendous promise. By collaborating and leveraging each other’s strengths based on long-term energy plans, ASEAN could establish a robust hydrogen trading network, with the potential for global expansion. Finally, fostering closer cooperation within ASEAN on permitting and licensing for hydrogen technologies could streamline the establishment and implementation of pilot projects, accelerating hydrogen development and deployment across the region. 

Dr Nuki reaffirmed ACE’s commitment to facilitating knowledge-sharing and capacity-building efforts. He called for ongoing collaboration to leverage collective strengths, overcome challenges, and unlock the full potential of hydrogen technology in ASEAN.

Photo 2. Behind the Scene – Pre Panel Discussion with Speakers

In addition to his presentation, Dr Nuki moderated a dynamic panel discussion titled “Global Case Studies: Perspectives on the Global Hydrogen Clusters Development.” The session featured esteemed panellists from InvestChile, PTT Public Company Limited, the German Embassy in Malaysia, Wood, and Asia–Pacific Net-Zero Institute Pte Ltd. The panel explored the development of key hydrogen clusters in ASEAN, discussing upcoming projects and strategies for regional and international collaboration. 

Key factors were elaborated, which include innovation and standardisation of hydrogen technologies, capacity building to drive the hydrogen transition, supporting policy and regulatory framework, and more importantly, financing. Creating market of hydrogen is critical, which should work through both demand and supply. Among others, carbon pricing is cited as one of the key policies to build the market.  

Photo 3. Dr Nuki Moderating a Session on Global Hydrogen Clusters Development  

In the side of the APGH 2024, Dr Nuki also met with Group Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Energy, YBhg Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili. They visited some of the booths in the event and held bilateral meeting, affirming the strong collaboration between ACE and Sarawak Energy in the field of power interconnection, hydrogen, and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum (AEBF).  

Photo 4. Dr Nuki and Group CEO Sarawak Energy Booth Visit and Bilateral Meeting 

Dr Nuki’s participation at APGH 2024 underscored the critical importance of collaboration and a well-defined roadmap in harnessing hydrogen’s potential for a sustainable future in ASEAN.